HDFC Bank and Times Internet's PIXEL Times credit card is live in Rush (₹1,000 + GST) and Move (₹500 + GST) variants. Here are the brand packs, real reward value, movie offers, caps and who it suits.
Quick Verdict
The HDFC Bank PIXEL Times Credit Card is no longer just "upcoming". It is live, in two variants:RushandMove.
It is a RuPay-only card built by Times Internet and HDFC Bank around entertainment, with movie discounts, OTT memberships and pick-your-own reward packs.
Rush:₹1,000 + GST joining and renewal fee, 10X Reward Points on any 2 of 4 brand packs
Move:₹500 + GST joining and renewal fee, 5X Reward Points on the same packs
Both:2 Reward Points per ₹200 on other spends, including UPI, with each point worth ₹0.25
Both:renewal fee waived on ₹1 lakh of spends in a year
The base rate is low. 2 points per ₹200 at ₹0.25 a point is about 0.25% back. The card only makes sense if you use the brand packs and movie offers regularly.
The simple rule:
If you spend steadily on Swiggy, Zepto, Amazon, Flipkart, Uber or Cleartrip and watch movies every month, PIXEL Times can work. If not, the low base rate makes it a weak everyday card.
Benchmarksutra Score: PIXEL Times Rush 60/100 — C Tier · PIXEL Times Move 58/100 — Avoid unless niche use case
Apply with HDFC Bank:Check eligibility and apply for an HDFC Bank credit card on the official HDFC Bank website
Disclosure: this is an affiliate link. BenchmarkSutra may earn a commission if you apply through it, at no extra cost to you. It does not change our analysis.
What Is the PIXEL Times Credit Card News?
PIXEL Times was reported in September 2026 as an upcoming card. As of 4 November 2026, both official sources treat it as a live product:
HDFC Bank's Key Fact Statement and MITC for PIXEL credit cards, updated on 15 October 2026, lists PIXEL Times (Rush Variant) and PIXEL Times (Move Variant) with fees, finance charges, reward values and caps.
The official PIXEL Times website at hdfcbank.timespixel.in, run by Times Internet Limited with HDFC Bank as the issuer, is accepting applications through a "Get Started" flow and has an application status checker.
The website describes it as India's entertainment credit card "launched by Times Internet Limited in partnership with HDFC Bank".
One gap: HDFC Bank's own credit card listing page on hdfc.bank.in does not yet have a PIXEL Times product page. It lists only PIXEL Play and PIXEL Go. The official application route is the PIXEL Times website.
Why This News Matters
PIXEL Times is the third card in HDFC Bank's PIXEL family, after PIXEL Play and PIXEL Go. It is the first PIXEL card that earns Reward Points instead of CashPoints.
It is also a co-branded card with a media company, which shows in the benefits: movie tickets, Sony LIV, Spotify and member-only events from the Times group.
For young, digital-first users, the pitch is choice. You pick the 2 brand packs that match your spending.
The trade-off is a low base reward rate and a 3.5% forex fee. This is a domestic lifestyle card, not a travel card.
Rush vs Move: Fees and Core Features
Feature | PIXEL Times Rush | PIXEL Times Move |
|---|---|---|
Joining / annual fee | ₹1,000 + GST | ₹500 + GST |
Fee including 18% GST | ₹1,180 | ₹590 |
Joining fee waiver | Not applicable (MITC lists "NA") | Not applicable (MITC lists "NA") |
Renewal fee waiver | ₹1,00,000 spends in a year | ₹1,00,000 spends in a year |
Brand pack rewards | 10X on any 2 of 4 packs | 5X on any 2 of 4 packs |
SmartBuy | Up to 5X on flights, hotels and vouchers | Up to 5X on flights, hotels and vouchers |
Base rewards | 2 RP per ₹200, incl. UPI | 2 RP per ₹200, incl. UPI |
Value per point | ₹0.25 | ₹0.25 |
Sony LIV Premium | 6 months | 3 months |
Spotify Premium Standard | 4 months | 4 months |
12.5% off on PUMA | Twice every quarter | Once every quarter |
Network | RuPay only | RuPay only |
HDFC Bank's MITC also says the joining fee will be charged if the card is closed within 90 days of issue, regardless of any acquisition pricing offer.
The 4 Brand Packs
You choose any 2 of these 4 packs. Spends on brands in your chosen packs earn the accelerated rate.
Pack | Brands |
|---|---|
Pack 1: Food and Grocery | Swiggy, Zepto |
Pack 2: Travel | Cleartrip, Uber |
Pack 3: Lifestyle and Home Services | Decathlon, Urban Company |
Pack 4: Ecommerce | Amazon, Flipkart |
What the multipliers are worth
Assuming the multiplier applies to the base rate of 2 points per ₹200:
Spend Type | Points per ₹200 | Value per ₹200 | Effective Return |
|---|---|---|---|
Other spends (both variants) | 2 | ₹0.50 | 0.25% |
Chosen packs, Move (5X) | 10 | ₹2.50 | 1.25% |
Chosen packs, Rush (10X) | 20 | ₹5.00 | 2.5% |
SmartBuy (up to 5X) | Up to 10 | Up to ₹2.50 | Up to 1.25% |
Points are earned in multiples of ₹200. A ₹350 transaction earns points on ₹200 only, and anything below ₹200 earns nothing. That matters for small UPI payments. Readwhy you sometimes earn zero reward pointsfor more on this.
To compare this with other cards, seehow to calculate the real value of 1 reward point.
Movie, Dining and Other Benefits
Benefit | Details (both variants) |
|---|---|
BookMyShow | 25% off up to ₹350, 2 times a month, plus ₹50 off on food and beverages |
Cinépolis | 25% off up to ₹100 on online bookings, once a month |
Swiggy Dineout | Flat 10% off every time you dine out |
Fuel | 1% fuel surcharge waiver, on transactions of ₹400 to ₹5,000 |
Billing date | Choose your billing date and change it twice a year |
Repayment | Pay in full or in parts |
Events | Member rates on curated Times events, such as movie screenings, workshops and tours |
The PIXEL Times site also shows a "Binge More" limited-time offer, saying you must apply and activate your card by 31 December 2026 to unlock it.
Charges and Limits to Know
Item | As Listed in HDFC Bank's MITC |
|---|---|
Foreign currency transactions | 3.5% of transaction value |
Finance charges | 3.75% a month (45% a year), excluding GST |
Base reward cap | 20,000 Reward Points per calendar month on "2 per ₹200" spends |
Point validity | 2 years from the date earned |
Negative points recovery | 1 Reward Point = ₹0.25 if a reversal leaves a negative balance for over 60 days |
Network | RuPay only |
The MITC also caps UPI reward points on RuPay PIXEL credit cards at 500 points in a calendar month. It does not separately say how this applies to PIXEL Times, so check your statement after your first month of UPI use.
HDFC Bank has not published separate monthly caps on the 10X and 5X brand packs in the documents we checked.
Eligibility and Who Can Apply
Salaried: age 21 to 60, gross monthly income above ₹8,000
Self-employed: age 21 to 65, annual income above ₹6 lakh as per ITR
Not open to existing HDFC Bank credit card holders for now
You can hold only one PIXEL variant: Play, Go or Times
If you have closed a PIXEL card before, you cannot re-apply for a PIXEL card
Worked Example: Rush vs Move for a Typical User
Karan spends this much a month and picks Pack 1 (Swiggy, Zepto) and Pack 4 (Amazon, Flipkart):
₹10,000 on Swiggy and Zepto
₹10,000 on Amazon and Flipkart
₹15,000 on other spends, including UPI
Item | Rush | Move |
|---|---|---|
Pack spends (₹20,000) | 2,000 RP = ₹500 | 1,000 RP = ₹250 |
Other spends (₹15,000) | 150 RP = ₹37.50 | 150 RP = ₹37.50 |
Monthly value | ₹537.50 | ₹287.50 |
Yearly value | ₹6,450 | ₹3,450 |
Annual fee incl. GST | ₹1,180 (waived at ₹1 lakh yearly spends) | ₹590 (waived at ₹1 lakh yearly spends) |
Karan spends about ₹4.2 lakh a year, so the renewal fee is waived on both. Rush gives him about ₹3,000 more a year for ₹590 more in the first-year fee.
Add two BookMyShow bookings a month at up to ₹350 off each, and the movie benefit alone can be worth more than the fee for regular moviegoers.
These figures assume the multiplier applies to the base rate and no pack-level cap applies. HDFC Bank has not published pack caps.
Should You Use It?
Situation | Decision |
|---|---|
₹15,000+ a month on 2 of the packs, plus regular movies | Rush is worth a look |
Moderate pack spends, occasional movies | Move is the safer pick |
Mostly UPI and offline spends | Look elsewhere; the base rate is too low |
You already hold an HDFC credit card | Not eligible for now |
You travel abroad often | Not suitable; 3.5% forex fee |
For UPI-heavy users, compare with ourbest RuPay credit cards for UPI, ranked by real cashbackand7 best lifetime free RuPay cards for 2026.
Who Benefits Most?
young professionals who order food and groceries online every week
regular moviegoers who book on BookMyShow twice a month
heavy Amazon and Flipkart shoppers
Uber and Cleartrip users who can pick the Travel pack
first-time HDFC credit card applicants
The strongest profile is:
A first-time HDFC cardholder who spends ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 a month across two packs, watches movies regularly, and pays in full every month.
Who Will Get Little Value?
existing HDFC Bank credit card holders, who cannot apply
people whose spending is mostly offline or small UPI payments
frequent international travellers
people who carry a balance, given the 3.75% monthly finance charge
anyone who wants a lifetime free card
Checklist
Do you hold any HDFC Bank credit card already?
Which 2 packs match your real monthly spends?
Will you spend ₹1 lakh a year to get the renewal fee waived?
Is Rush's extra ₹590 fee justified by your pack spends?
Do you book movies on BookMyShow or Cinépolis?
Are you comfortable with a RuPay-only card?
Will you activate the card by 31 December 2026 for the limited-time offer?
Do you understand that points are earned only in multiples of ₹200?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Comparing 10X with cashback cards directly
Each point is worth ₹0.25. 10X works out to about 2.5% back, not 10%.
Mistake 2: Picking packs you do not use
Choose the 2 packs that match where your money already goes.
Mistake 3: Using it for small UPI payments
Payments below ₹200 earn nothing, and UPI rewards on RuPay PIXEL cards are capped.
Mistake 4: Closing the card within 90 days
HDFC Bank charges the joining fee if you close the card within 90 days, and you cannot re-apply for a PIXEL card later.
Mistake 5: Using it abroad
The 3.5% forex fee makes it costly for international spends.
Mistake 6: Letting points sit too long
Points expire 2 years after you earn them.
PIXEL Times Rush vs PIXEL Times Move Benchmarksutra Score
We rate every card on the same fixed 100-point framework, using official bank data. See how the Benchmarksutra Credit Card Score works.
Scoring Category | Maximum Points | PIXEL Times Rush | PIXEL Times Move |
|---|---|---|---|
Reward Value | 20 | 10 | 8 |
Fee Value | 15 | 10 | 12 |
Redemption Quality | 10 | 4 | 4 |
Use-Case Fit | 15 | 11 | 10 |
Eligibility & Accessibility | 10 | 6 | 6 |
Benefits & Perks | 10 | 7 | 6 |
Hidden Costs & Conditions | 10 | 5 | 5 |
Bank & User Experience | 10 | 7 | 7 |
Total Benchmarksutra Score | 100 | 60/100 | 58/100 |
HDFC Bank PIXEL Times Credit Card (Rush): 60/100 — C Tier
About 2.5% back on two chosen brand packs, but only about 0.25% on everything else.
Movie offers (25% off BookMyShow twice a month) and OTT memberships add real value for regulars.
Not open to existing HDFC cardholders, and you cannot re-apply after closing any PIXEL card.
3.5% forex and points only in ₹200 multiples make it a domestic, niche card.
HDFC Bank PIXEL Times Credit Card (Move): 58/100 — Avoid unless niche use case
Pack spends return only about 1.25%; the 0.25% base rate is weak for everyday use.
Cheap to hold at ₹500 + GST, waived from year two on ₹1 lakh of spend.
Same movie offers as Rush, with fewer Sony LIV months and PUMA vouchers.
Closed to existing HDFC cardholders; 3.5% forex rules it out abroad.
Scores reflect official terms as of 4 November 2026. Banks can change fees, rewards and conditions, so check the latest terms before applying.
Benchmarksutra Impact Score
User Type | Impact Score |
|---|---|
Heavy food delivery and ecommerce users (Rush) | 7/10 |
Regular moviegoers | 7/10 |
Moderate spenders (Move) | 6/10 |
UPI-first users | 3/10 |
Frequent international travellers | 2/10 |
Existing HDFC credit card holders | 0/10 (not eligible) |
Benchmarksutra Verdict
PIXEL Times is a niche entertainment card. It rewards people who spend on two chosen brand packs and watch movies regularly.
Rush can return about 2.5% on your chosen packs, and Move about 1.25%. Outside the packs, the 0.25% base rate is weak.
Pick Move if you are unsure. Choose Rush only if your pack spends are high enough to cover the extra fee comfortably.
Before applying, readIs the Annual Fee Worth It?andHow to Compare Credit Cards in India.
Apply with HDFC Bank:Check eligibility and apply for an HDFC Bank credit card on the official HDFC Bank website
Disclosure: this is an affiliate link. BenchmarkSutra may earn a commission if you apply through it, at no extra cost to you. It does not change our analysis.
FAQs
Has the HDFC PIXEL Times Credit Card launched?
Yes. HDFC Bank's MITC updated on 15 October 2026 lists both variants, and the official PIXEL Times website is accepting applications.
What is the difference between Rush and Move?
Rush costs ₹1,000 + GST and gives 10X on 2 chosen packs, 6 months of Sony LIV and PUMA discounts twice a quarter. Move costs ₹500 + GST and gives 5X, 3 months of Sony LIV and PUMA discounts once a quarter.
Is the joining fee waived?
No spend-based joining fee waiver is listed. The renewal fee is waived on ₹1 lakh of spends in a year.
How much is one Reward Point worth?
₹0.25, as per HDFC Bank's MITC.
Which network is it on?
RuPay only. It can be linked to UPI.
Can existing HDFC credit card holders apply?
Not for now. The official site says the offer is not available to existing HDFC Bank credit card holders.
What are the movie benefits?
25% off up to ₹350 on BookMyShow twice a month, plus ₹50 off on food and beverages, and 25% off up to ₹100 on Cinépolis online bookings once a month.
Is there a cap on reward points?
Base rewards are capped at 20,000 points a month. UPI rewards on RuPay PIXEL cards are capped at 500 points a month. Pack-level caps are not published.
What is the forex fee?
3.5% of the transaction value.
How do I apply?
Through the official PIXEL Times website, hdfcbank.timespixel.in, using the "Get Started" button. The process is fully digital.
Official Sources and Editorial Note
Data checked as of: 4 November 2026
Official PIXEL Times Credit Card website (Times Internet Limited and HDFC Bank)
https://hdfcbank.timespixel.in/
HDFC Bank Key Fact Statement cum MITC for PIXEL Credit Cards (updated 15 October 2026)
https://www.hdfc.bank.in/content/dam/hdfcbankpws/in/en/personal-banking/discover-products/cards/credit-cards/personal-mitc/MITC-PIXEL-Credit-Card-12Aug-26-1.pdf
HDFC Bank credit cards listing page
https://www.hdfc.bank.in/credit-cards
Important source note:
This article does not quote or rely on third-party wording. Fees, rewards, caps and charges are taken from HDFC Bank's MITC for PIXEL credit cards and the official PIXEL Times website. HDFC Bank's main website does not yet have a PIXEL Times product page. Some FAQ answers on the PIXEL Times site, such as redemption options, were incomplete when we checked, so redemption details are not covered here. Effective return figures assume the multipliers apply to the base rate of 2 points per ₹200 and are illustrative.
Editorial note:
Card fees, reward rates, brand packs, caps, welcome benefits and eligibility can change. Always verify the latest terms on the official PIXEL Times website and HDFC Bank's MITC before applying.
